COQUITLAM BANS 'UNDESIRABLE' BUSINESSES

In an effort to make Coquitlam more "family-friendly," pawn shops,
methadone clinics, non-registered massage outlets, escort services
and exotic dancing will be banned in Coquitlam.

And adult entertainment shops, adult video stores, cheque-cashing
outlets, scrap metal dealers and tattoo parlours won't be allowed to
set up shop within a kilometre of any other so-called "undesirable" business.

The unanimous move by city council - which Mayor Richard Stewart
said, in a news release on Tuesday, is aimed to make Coquitlam's
retail areas "family-friendly" - comes after Monday's public hearing,
where business owners squared off with neighbours and the
Maillardville Residents' Association.

Association spokesperson Lorraine Bergen said many area homeowners
are concerned about the growing number of adult-oriented businesses
in the historically French-Canadian enclave. She said the cluster of
the businesses and the wording on some shops have been questionable,
especially when they are near schools and daycares.

Lisa Vallaster said she regrets moving from Vancouver to
Maillardville. In four years, she said, she has seen a number of
pawnbrokers, tattoo parlours and sex shops start up. "I feel
embarrassed as a citizen of this area," she told city council during
the hour-long hearing. She also criticized pawn shop owners for
taking advantage of people who are broke.

The owner of Common Exchange on Brunette Avenue said his business can
make up to 70% a year in interest for a short-term loan. "Is it a
crime to make money?" he shrugged when Coun. Lou Sekora questioned
him on his operations. "I think you are all going to open pawn shops now."

He also claimed the city and RCMP are acting against the Privacy Act
when it requests pawn shop owners to fax a daily list to police,
itemizing goods sold.

Austin Avenue pawn shop operator Trevor Tennessy said city council is
violating Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms by discriminating
against his business. He said the word "undesirable" can be
subjective. "I feel ashamed to have this label," his business partner said.

And the owner of Millennium Traders in Burquitlam Plaza said her
licence fee has grown from $125 to $3,500. Under the re-worked zoning
bylaw, to which council granted second and third readings on Monday,
the licence will soar to $10,000 for current licensed pawn shop owners.

"It doesn't add up," she said. "It doesn't make sense. There' no
municipality anywhere that has changed like that."

Mayor Richard Stewart said the new bylaw "has taken way too long to
get here. We have a responsibility to... our residents," especially
in Austin Heights, Maillardville and south Burquitlam, where most of
the establishments are located.

On Tuesday, Tennessy commented in council's decision, telling The
Tri-City News, "It's ridiculous. It's completely wrong. They didn't
listen to a word anybody said. And $10,000? I think it will make the
city rich. How can they justify that number?"

Trevor Wingrove, Coquitlam's general manager of corporate services,
said the city doesn't have any methadone clinics, escort services or
strip bars. Non-registered massage does not include certified body
workers or practitioners in the natural health-care fields. Also,
there are currently no scrap metal dealers in the city, he said.